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However, China last year overtook the US to become the largest automotive market in the world, selling 13.6m cars in 2009. Analysts last night stressed that China and Japan’s frosty relationship is another reason why Toyota would have considered a public apology important.

Toyota sales rose 21pc to just over 700,000 last year in China, but this was behind growth seen elsewhere in the industry and the company is seen to be behind its rivals in establishing itself in the market.

The Japanese car maker, the biggest in the world, said it is confident of breaking 800,000 Chinese sales in 2010, despite the damage to its reputation from the recall.